Clothespin



July 24, 1951' J. R. PARADIS CLOTHE SPIN Filed Feb. 18, 1949 FIG. 2

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented July 24, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE oLo'rHEsPIN V Joseph Paradis, Malden, Mass. Application February 1a, 1949, Serial No. 77,180

'6 Claims. 1 This invention relates to holding devices and particularly has reference to devices in the nature of clothespins. Objects of the invention are to provide an improved clothespin and holding device which is of simple and inexpensive construction, which is formed of a single piece of resilient wire and which is designed to prevent dirt accumulation thereon, and especially to provide a clothespin of this character which is easily engaged with and disengaged from an. article and a clothesline on which the article is to be secured yet is able to firmly and strongly grip said article and hold it against accidental release from jengagement.

Otherobjects of the invention reside in the provision of a clothespin, and holdin device formed of a single piece of wire bentto provide .four leg portions joined by a crosspiece portion and two loop portions, and having handle portions terminating at the ends of said wire and extending from each of two of said leg portions to said ends, and in the provision. of novel finger grip means adapted to be associated, with the handle portions of a device of the character described and particularly finger grip members which are engaged on the ends of. said handle portions and which are of material of a nature such that it is a poorer heat conductorthan the wire of said device.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention. accordingly comprises the article possessing-the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified inthe following detailed disclosure and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had i to the following detailed description taken'in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 isa front elevation of a clothespin forming one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention and illustrates a clothespin similar to that of Fig. 1 provided with finger grip means;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, with partsbroken away, of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view, with parts in section and parts broken away, of another type of finger grip. means for use with clothespins of the character illustrated inFigs.

2 and3; v a Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing. apair of clothespins, each like that of Fig. 2, holding an article on a clothesline; and a Fig. 6 is a viewtaken, on the line 5-1: of Fig. ,5

To carry out the aims and objects or the invention, use is made of a single piece or length of wire which is generally designated by the reference numeral ['0 and which is suitably bent or shaped to form a clothespin or other holding device. The wire employed should be a suitably resilientmaterial and should have a sufiicient cross-section to afford the desired stiffness needed for the holding device. Metals serve admirably forthis purpose, preferably those which are rust resistant, such as stainless steel, galvanized iron and the like, orthose which are coated against rust, as, for example, by being enameled. Organic plastics, especially rods thereof which may be shaped or molded when heated, may also beempl'oyed for forming the device. The prior art, especially in connection with clothespins, is well acquainted with the use of organic plastic materials in the formation of holding devicesand no discussion of these materials is therefore necessary.

In all embodiments of the invention, the length of wire it is shaped so as to provide a clothespin having four leg-forming portions which are interconnected through a portion of the wire forming a crosspiece and two loop portions. In the construction of Figs. 1 and 2; this arrangement provides/legs H, I 2, l5 and I6,

, crosspiece IT and loop portions [8 and I9. Legs H, I2, l5 and It are all arranged in spaced relation to each other with legs II and I2 forming a pair of outer legs between which inner legs [5 and it are located. The crosspiece I! is positioned transversely of legs ll, [2, I5 and 16 while it is given a length which is considerably greater than the spacing between inner legs L: and I6 and is positioned so that it extends between the inner legs. The relatively long length ofthe crosspiece ll permits it to extend beyond each inner 1egi5 andlt. by a distance. at least approximating the spacing between the inner legs for a reason which will presently appear. Outer legs I! and lidepend respectively from opposite ends offcrosspiece l1 and are respectively joined to the inner leg next adjacent thereto by the loop portions I9 and I8. Inner legs l5 and, i6 extend from locations adjacent the depending end of the outer le to which they are respectively joined and on opposite sides of the crosspiece, each to a location beyond the crosspiece and there terminate in an end of the wire It whereby each inner leg is provided with a handle portion designated by the reference 20 for leg l6 and by the reference 2! for leg I5. As illustrated, loop portions 18 and 19 are disposed to extend awayfrom each other and thereby provide an entrance passage for an article which is to be engaged by the device.

Anj important feature of theclothespins of this invention resides in arranging the various legs in symmetrical relation so that similar spacings, at least at the crosspiece, are provided between each outer leg and the inner leg next adjacent thereto and between said inner less. This arrangement, as-will subsequently appear, permits the clothespin to be readily applied and disengaged by hand yet firmly retains the article, 3

' spacing between the legs of the clothespin, and practice of this character is deemed to fall withbeing held against forces tending to effect its undesired removal, as for example, by wind forces.

While outer legs II and |2have in all embodiments of the invention as being disbeen shown formation of overturned "1 portin's" 522, 1 and 23 whereby the handle portions 20 and 2| are straight while still maintaining the desired By a preferred embodiment, illustrated in Fig.

I 2; handle portions 20 and 2| are engaged within posed inwardly towards each other from cross-,

side of legs l5 andlfi'as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

,The benefits of the invention are achieved by any" symmetrical arrangement making use of a relatively long crosspiece so .that one pair oflegforming portions of wire It may be, at least in part, spaced outwardly from the other pair of leg-forming portions. For example, Fig. 3 illustrates how thismay be efiected by a construction which retains features of the clothespins of Figs. 1 and'2 in that it utilizes a relatively long crosspiece and spaced apart and substantially parallel inner legs l5 and Hi which extend above and below the crosspiece respec tively on opposite sides thereof at locations intermediate of the opposed ends of the crosspiece and which are providedwith handle portions 20 and 2|.

The second pair of legs 4| and 42 in the clothespin of Fig. '3 depend respectively from the opposite ends of the crosspiece I! as in the constructions of, Figs. 1 and 2. Unlike the clothespins of Figs. 1 and 2', the legs 4| and A2, for about a quarter to a third of their length, are bent towards each other and for the remainder of their length to their respective loops are shaped so that they are substantially parallel to the inner legs l5 and 6. In the device as shown in Fig. 3, the parts 4t and 43 which are bent towards each other -have their ends most distant from the crosspiece separated by a distance substantially equal to the spacing between inner legs l5 and |6. By this arrangemerit, leg 4| is located in part to the outside of leg l5 and in part in back of leg ,|5, while leg 42 is located in part to the outside of leg l6 and in part in front of leg I6. ,7

The handle portions 20 and 2| may provide finger grip means for applying the clothespin. Such practice is shown in Fig. 1 wherein the terminating ends of wire l0 have portions 22 and 23 turned inwardly towards each other in overlapped relation. Preferably, the turned over ends 22 and 23 are so'bent that they'are maintained substantially in pressure contact. In instances where metal wire is employed, portions 22 and 23 may be spot welded, although such procedure is generally unneeded. The use of turned end portions 22 and23 inpressure contact is desirable from the standpoint of eliminating projections on which an article of, clothing may be torn and also for maintaining a; finger grip member 24 formed of wood. The finger grip member 24 may be applied by driving it onto the handle portions 2iland2| or by driving the handle portions into' t he"'finger grip, During this operation the handle portions 20 and 2|, if necessary, may be'temporarily held in their desired spaced apartrelation. To carry out this practice, handle'portions 20 and 2| are Without bends and are substantially, straight'for their full length. Besides serving as an insulator, a finger grip member, like that of Fig. 2, also serves to maintain the desired spacing between the legs of the clothespin. Member 24 may also be formed of an organic plastic which is molded around the handle portions", 26 and 2|." Of course, an individual wooden finger grip mem-j ber, of similar construction to grip 2d buthaving' only one bore therein, may be engaged with or mounted on each respective handle portion 20 and 2|, such expedient beign comprehended by the invention. I

' Fig. 4 illustrates the use of another type of finger grip means. As shown in this view, a hollow finger grip member 25 is employed. Member 25 is formed of a 'moldable material, such as any suitableplastic material, and is provided with a passageway having a section 26 which extends centrally through the grip member and which has a pair of transverse recesses 21 extending off each side thereof adjacent one end of the member whereby a T-shape is imparted to the passageway. In this embodiment, handle portions 20 and 2| of the clothespin have their terminating ends turned outwardly and away fromeach other to provide ear members 28 adapted to'be engaged with the recesses 21. Finger grip member 25 is mounted 'on the clothes pin by pressing handle portions'20 and 2| to-' wards each other in the manner indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4 and byinserting the handle portions within the passageway ofthe finger grip member to a position'where'ears 28 will engage with recesses21 when the handle portions are released from"-their-pressed together position. On such release,'ears'"28 seat in recesses 21 and become firmly engaged therein whereby finger grip member 25 is securely mounted'on the clothespin. *The'finger grip member 25 of Fig. 4is usable with clothespins of the general construction disclosed in-Figs'Z and 3 provided the handle portions 20 and-2| ofthe clothespins are formed with ear members 28 shown in'Figr.

In all embodiments 'ofthe invention, it is to be observed'that the-use of;wireand the open construction employed provide aclothespi'n of great cleanliness since there are norecessed sur faces within which dirt may, accumulate and the rounded cross -section of the materialforming the device gives little opportunity for dirt to' col lectthereon While theli leg s; of'the clothespin have been shown as generally straight elementsj it is to benoted that, they befcorrugate'd for the purpose of ihcrasing'theii frictionarand MMac contacting engagement. with the. article. to be held.

.The operation of. the clothespins will become apparent from the foregoing, and with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 where a cloth article 29 is illus trated as secured to. a clothesline by apair of clothespins 3i and 3!. of the type shown. in Fig. 2 Article 29 is placed. over line 36 and pins 3! and 3| are grasped by their finger grip mem-. bers and are pushed over the. article and the line until the crosspieces ll of the pins contact the article. The disposition of the loops. Hand [9- permits the entrance of the article 29 and line 30 between the two sets of legs which are each formed, respectively, by an outer leg and the inner leg next adjacent thereto. Due to the symmetrical spacing of legs I I, l2, l5 and [6, a deformation of the line 30 into. an S-shape takes place when the crosspiece I! of the clothespin is brought into bearing contact with the clothes and. clothesline and this results in holding the article 29 more firmly and securelybecause the cloth. thereof is similarly deformed. Ihis deiormation is particularly well shown. in Fig. 6. .In. fact, it may be stated that the clothespins of the. type illustrated in Figs. 1 and. 2 tend to impart an s-shaped deformation to the clotliesline and the cloth. which is to be secured thereto from the stage of application where the legs proper come into contact with the cloth asthc pin is being engaged with the line. This is due to the fact that legs H and 12 are located outside of. the inner legs l5 and I6.

On the other hand, any tendency of the clothespin of Fig. 3 to impart the S-shaped deformation is delayed until the pin has been applied to a position where the angularly disposed parts 43 and 44 of legs 4! and 42 become engaged with the line and the article to be held thereon. During the application of the clothespin of. Fig. 3, the portions of legs 4| and 42 which are located below the outwardly disposed parts of 43 and 44 of these logs are spread away from each other. Consequently, substantially only side pressure. at right angles tothe' length of the clothesline isapplied by the clothespin of Fig. 3 until the parts 43 and 44 of legs tl and 42 come into engagement with the clothesline and the article to be held thereon. As the clothesline and article thereon come into engagement with these outwardly located parts 43 and 44, the just referred to side pressure is released and the portions of legs 4| and 42 below the parts 43 and 46 snap back into their normal position shown in Fig. 3.

It is to be noted that all embodiments of the invention are able to securely hold an article on or to a clothesline without the use of heavy side pressure and, at most, develop only limited side pressure during their application to their working or operating position. Consequently, these clothespins are easily put on and taken off, yet due to the S-shaped deformation created by them they offer very strong resistance to tensional and/or compressive forces which may be applied to the held article itself and which act to dislodge the article from the line.

While the invention has been illustrated in connection with clothespins, its usefulness is not restricted to such field but embraces holding devices generally. With regard to other specific applications, reference may be made to the use of the illustrated device for the purpose of holding papers, as a book mark and the like.

Since certain changes may be made in the above: subject matter without departingjrom the scope: of the invention. herein involved, itis intendedlthat all matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawing, shall, be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is: i i

.1. A clothespin and, holding device comprising a single piece of resilient wirehaving a pair of spaced apart leg-forming portions adapted to engage an article to be held by said device and providing a pair of outer legs, a secondpair of spaced apart leg-forming portions adapted: to also engage an article to be held by said device and providing a pair of inner legslocated at least in part between said outer legs in spaced relation to said outer legs, a crosspiece-forming por-. tion positioned transversely of said legs, each said. outer leg depending respectively from an .wire, said connecting loop portions being disposed to extend away from each other and to 'provide an entrance passage for an article to be engaged by said device. 1

2. A clothespin and holding device comprising a single piece of resilient wire having four leg-forming portions providing legs adapted to engage an article to be held by said device and also having a portion forming a crosspiece which is positioned transversely of said legs, said legs being arranged in pairs to provide an outer pair of legs which depend respectively from opposite ends of said crosspiece and an inner pair of legs located at least in part between said outer legs and extending from locations substantially adjacent the depending ends of said outer legs and on opposite sides of said crosspiece each to a location beyond said crosspiece and there terminating in an end of said wire whereby each inner leg is provided with a handle portion between said crosspiece and an end of said wire, said inner legs at positions adjacent said crosspiece being at least substantially in contact therewith, said wire also having a pair of connectin p portions which are disposed to extend away from each other and to provide an entrance passage for an article to be engaged by said device and which are each joined respectively to the depending end of an outer leg and to the end of the inner leg next adjacent thereto, said legs being positioned with respect to each other. so that the spacing between each outer leg and the respective inner leg next adjacent thereto as well as the spacing between each said inner leg are all substantially similar adjacent said crosspiece.

3. A clothespin and holding device as defined in claim 1 wherein said handle portions adjacent their terminating ends are turned inwardly towards each other in overlapped relation and are substantially maintained in pressure contact.

4. A clothespin and holding device comprising a single piece of resilient wire having a pair of spaced apart leg-forming portions adapted to engage an article to be held by said device and providing a pair of outer legs, a second pair=-of spaced apart leg-forming portions adapted to also engage an article to be held by said-device and providing a pair of inner legs located at least in part between said outer legs in spaced relation to said outer legs, a crosspiece-forming portion positioned transversely of said legs,: each said outer leg depending respectively from an opposite end of said crosspiece, said inner legs being positioned on opposite sides of said crosspiece and at least substantially in contact theree with at spaced-apart locations which lie'intermediate of the ends of the crosspiece, a pairof connecting loop portions, each joining respectively the depending end of an outer leg to the inner leg next adjacentthereto, each said inner leg extending from its respective connecting loop towards and beyond said crosspiece to provide a handle portion terminating at an endof said wire, the extensions of said inner legs which provide said handle portions being separated throughout their length by a spacing substan: tially similar to the spacing of said inner legs at said crosspiece, said connecting loop portions being disposed with respect to each other to provide an entrance passage for an article to be engaged by said device, and holding means engaged with said inner legs for holding, said inner legs in said spaced relation whereby apli able article engaged by the legs of said device is deflected on opposite sides of said crosspiece into each space bounded by an inner leg and the outer leg joined thereto by a connecting loop portion. c c 5. A clothespin and holding devicecomprising a single piece of resilient wire having four leg-forming portions providing legs adapted to engage an article to be held by said device and also having a portion forming a crosspiece which is positioned transversely of said legs, said legs being arranged in pairs to provide an outer pair of legs which depend respectively from opposite ends of said crosspiece and an inner pair of legs located at least in part between sair outer legs and extending substantially from locations ad.- jacent the depending ends of said outer legs and on opposite sides of said crosspiece'and at least substantially in contact therewith, eachto a location beyond said crosspiece and there terminating in an end of said wire wherebyv each inner leg is provided with a handle portion .btween said crosspiece and said end of said wire, each said inner leg, including the handleportion thereof, being substantially straight from end to end and said inner legs being substantially parallel to each other, said wire also having a pair of connecting loop portions which are disposed to extend away from each other and to provide an entrance passage for an article to be engaged by said device and which are each joined respectively to the depending end of an outer leg and to the end of the inner leg next adjacent thereto, said legs being positioned with respect to each other so that the spacing between each outer leg and the respective inner leg next adjacent thereto as well as the spacing between each said inner leg are all substantially similarly adjacent said crosspiece, and arelatively long member providinga finger grip mounted on said handle portions of said wire and formed of a material which is a poorer heat conductor than said wire, said inner legs, including said terminating ends and a part of the handle portions thereof between said terminating ends and said crosspiece, extending into said finger grip member and being tightly engaged and substantially fixedly held by said finger grip member with said inner legs in said spaced apart and parallel relation.

6. A clothespin and holding device of the character defined in claim 1, wherein said outer legs are shaped to incline towards each other from said crosspiece for a part of their length and for the remainder of their length to their respective loop portions are generally parallel to each other and tosaid inner legs.

JOSEPH R. PARADIS..

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

